I wrote this post a couple of years ago but not too much has changed except that I went to New Orleans this past summer for a wine conference, my third trip to the city. I got to explore a couple of new restaurants, have beignets for breakfast and to see the river again in all its glory. I like NOLA with all of its particularities and it certainly is the place to be today. Maybe I will just wear some beads to celebrate here in frigid New York.

Today is Mardi Gras or “Fat Tuesday.” It is the last day of the Carnival season and always falls the day before Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent. Not being religious, I think of Mardi Gras as a celebration in New Orleans.

I have never been to Mardi Gras in New Orleans and I am sure I am missing out on a lot, even though, I think today’s weather isn’t great down there. I like Nola and had a very interesting trip there in 2008 with the Society of Wine Educators conference.

At the time, I wrote this post on my blog which has been one of the most widely read posts in the six years I have been writing this blog. Who knew – the Muffaletta was such a big draw?